People who have found Jewish ancestry via DNA testing (Americans, religious, Israel)

[Lucario]

About a year ago I did some DNA testing and found many genetic matches among people who were unmistakably Ashkenazic. The genes show that I have distant ancestors who came from somewhere in eastern Europe and that my relatives who share these ancestors live all over what could be called the Jewish Diaspora, including Israel. They seem to be concentrated - or are Americans with roots in - Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, and Germany. Most openly identify as Jewish and appear as such via looks and surname.

I know I cannot consider myself Jewish, as I had no knowledge of these relatives, and there is nothing about my upbringing that signifies Jewish religion or culture.

But I have always had an affinity both for Judaism and the Jewish-influence cultures of eastern Europe.

I know this is more of a culture/ethnicity question than a religious one, but I have seen ethnicity/culture discussions on this forum as well.

So, where does someone like me fit in?

[1+1=5]

Originally Posted by Lucario

About a year ago I did some DNA testing and found many genetic matches among people who were unmistakably Ashkenazic. The genes show that I have distant ancestors who came from somewhere in eastern Europe and that my relatives who share these ancestors live all over what could be called the Jewish Diaspora, including Israel. They seem to be concentrated - or are Americans with roots in - Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, and Germany. Most openly identify as Jewish and appear as such via looks and surname.

I know I cannot consider myself Jewish, as I had no knowledge of these relatives, and there is nothing about my upbringing that signifies Jewish religion or culture.

But I have always had an affinity both for Judaism and the Jewish-influence cultures of eastern Europe.

I know this is more of a culture/ethnicity question than a religious one, but I have seen ethnicity/culture discussions on this forum as well.

So, where does someone like me fit in?

You're a friend of the Jews, then, and/or perhaps a righteous Gentile. (That's how I started, and eventually I converted. My mother told me she was Jewish, but she died when I was young. I studied and converted, which is the best thing I've ever done.)

So, you can fit in wherever your soul leads you.